What to Avoid When Remodeling Your Home - Poway Home Tips

When remodeling or improving your home, you should stop and look at the future before you make any decisions. Some day, your investment will have to be sold. And you will want to get as much out of it as you have put in it.

There are things that just hurt a home when you are trying to sell it. These are items that really seem important to you, but the majority of buyers don't want.

The number one example is a swimming pool. I would love to have an in-ground swimming pool at my house. But I know that it would not be a good investment.

It is expensive to clean, maintain and buyers aren't looking for swimming pools. Buyers don't want the troubles or the energy bills that come with swimming pools. Lenders don't include pools in the mortgage appraisal, so it really has no value to your home.

Another thing that can hurt you is overexpanding your home. Yes, buyers are looking for space, but you can have too much space. If you add on a family room, you are likely to see a 83% return on your investment. It costs you when you don't get back 100%. Adding a master suite to a home will grant you a recovery of only 80% of the cost of the addition.

It gets even worse if your additions make your home much larger than those in your area. This hurts your appraisal value, as there are no other homes of your size to compare to.

You shouldn't go too crazy with your changes either. Yes, there are a lot of people that would find a basement that looks like an old-time western saloon quite charming. But would they want to buy it? What if the basement was extra storage and a family room instead?

You would think that a home office would be a good addition. So many people work from home. Yet, it probably isn't wise to totally outfit a room to be an office by installing a workstation and office storage. You will recoup an average of 73% of your investment, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Another thing to avoid is doing too much by yourself. Shoddy or handmade workmanship will not benefit you. I know a couple that painted their brand new home themselves. The job was not great, as you can see paint on the ceiling throughout the home. Plus, the colors are quite unusual. To sell their home, they may find that it would have been better to have a professional paint in a neutral color scheme.

Try to keep your decor in your personal belongings, not the home itself. Faux finishes are lovely, but if they are too unusual, they may be a sticking point. You may love unusual colors, but remember, hot pink walls are not for everyone.

When you know you will be selling your home, it helps to spend your time only on renovations that will pay you back. Do the most important projects first.

The projects that show the greatest return at resale are improvements to siding, windows, kitchens and bathrooms.

A midrange bathroom renovation can give you a 102% return on the investment. An upscale bathroom renovation can recoup 93% of the cost. A midrange kitchen improvement will recoup approximately 91% of the cost. Minor jobs return 99%.

Keep in mind that the most important improvements aren't those that add to your home, they are those that maintain the home. Make sure the paint is in good condition, the gutters are clean and the lawn is kept up. Keep track of annual checkups, such as the heating and air servicing, and make sure you include the info when you are trying to sell your home. A well-maintained home is always a good seller.

Martin Lukac represents RateTake Refinance Rate marketplace. RateTake matches consumers with multiple lenders offering low rates. Got too much credit debt? Get Debt Help and you'd be surprised what we can do together.

Home Theater Books

What Everyone Ought to Know About the Coca Plant

The coca plant is one of the most misunderstood plants currently being grown and harvested. Most commonly known for being the plant which cocaine is derived from, it has the stereotype of being a dangerous plant. However, the coca plant has many valid and safe uses, which have been utilized by herbalists since the plant's discovery.

The coca plant grows in South America, Africa, Ceylon, Taiwan, Indonesia and Formosa. However, it is most commonly known for its presence in the Andes of South America, where the majority of cocaine is produced. The first known documentation of the plant was in 1783, but it was not classified until 1786, where it was given the name Erythroxylum coca. However, it is believed that the coca plant has been established as a domestic plant for over 2,000 years. There is evidence within burial sites of coca to support this belief.

Tending to the coca plant requires diligence and effort. The life of the coca plant begins as a fruit, which is gathered when the drupes are almost ripe. These drupes are placed within a basket and allowed to sit where the flesh of the fruit becomes soft. Once this has occurred, the seeds are removed and the seeds are placed in the sun to dry out.

Only once this occurs, the seeds can be planted. Germination takes approximately 24 days. Once the plant has acquired 4 leaves, they are protected by a lattice covering for a year.

After the year has ended, the plants are transferred to preparation fields. This transportation can only be done during the rainy season. Three years after this transfer, some leaves may be harvested. Once the coca plant is able to be harvested, they are harvested three or four times a year. A fully established acre of coca plants can yield 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of leaf per year.

While coca plants are annual, a field will be replanted once every twenty years, as the quality of the plant diminishes over time.

As coca plants are so valuable, there are many steps taken to protect the crops from natural predators and disease. There are several varieties of insects that prey on the coca plants, as well as fungus that can cripple or kill the stalks, branches and leaves. Weeds can also be devastating to young coca plants, as the weeds rob the soil of the nutrients that the plants need for basic survival.

The most common use of coca plants is in the popular soft drink, Coca-Cola. While this beverage no longer contains cocaine, it is still made directly from the coca leaf.

Modern medicinal uses of coca include use as a bactericide, as spinal anesthetics and as treatments for ailments such as eczema and shingles.

Steve Habib operates a landscape maintenance company in St. Petersburg, Florida. He also gives away useful tips, advice and articles on a large variety of different kinds of plants. Want a green thumb? Visit here: http://www.different-kinds-of-plants.com/index.html

Is Organic Gardening For You?

Are you a beginner to organic gardening? Maybe you've grown a few veggies before, but not with organic methods. Or maybe all you've managed to grow in the past has been "weeds". But if you're interested in growing an organic vegetable garden... keep reading.

So just what does organic gardening mean? Basically it means growing in harmony with the environment - using simple systems and techniques that benefit your garden without resorting to the use of any chemicals.
Organic gardeners take a wholistic approach to gardening, starting from the ground up, so to speak.

Ways to improve your soil include adding in compost and other bulky organic matter or mature animal manures. It helps if you know what kind of soil you have. You can get pH testing kits from your local hardware store or nursery, but pretty much all soils will greatly improve over time with the systematic addition of organic matter.

If you're planning on growing organic vegetables, a great way to start is with a "no-dig" garden bed. You can raise the bed by building borders and then add layers of compost and organic mulch. When the plot has settled you can plant your seedlings directly into the layers.

Many organic gardeners create their own compost from garden waste, kitchen scraps, chicken manure and many other compostable items. If you don't have room for a compost heap, there are other options - such as a worm farm or Bokashi bucket system. These valuable nutrients are placed back into the garden to feed your plants.

Another form of organic food for your plants is a liquid fertilizer. These are very easy to make and cost you next to nothing. You can use these fertilizers on the soil around your plants or as foliar sprays, directly on the leaves.

Another system often used by organic gardeners is companion planting. This is where you grow many different plants together to improve each other in some way. Companion planting can benefit your garden in many ways, including pest and disease prevention and growing healthier, more vigorous plants.

To get nature to help you out with insect control you can grow plants that attract beneficial insects. These are insects that either eat problem insects or they could be pollinating insects, such as bees or butterflies.
You can also grow plants that attract insect eating birds, and have water available for birds and other wildlife around your garden. Of course you can always hand pick a few caterpillars off you plants, or spray a jet of water to get rid of aphids if the numbers haven't got out of control.

I've only mentioned a few of the more basic methods of organic gardening here, but once you get started you'll wonder why anyone would contemplate putting chemicals on their garden, let alone on their food plants. Nature has got it right - keeping populations of pest insects in check by providing predatory insects and animals. Well, it just makes good sense.

Other things you'd want to consider if you're planning a vegetable garden are:
The amount of sunlight the area gets
Are there trees shading the area, or will roots become a problem?
Is water easily accessible?
Is it close enough to the kitchen?

I'd also highly recommend that you keep a garden journal or diary. Keep records of when you planted things and what the yields were like. Would you do anything differently next season? You might jot down relevant weather details too.
If you decide to save your own seed it's really important to keep clear records.

It may sound like it's a really involved subject, but organic gardening is like learning to play an instrument or a new language. You just practice what you know and keep adding to it. Before long, it will become second nature to you. It is a way of life for me and it brings great joy into my life, knowing that I provide healthy, organic food for my family that has virtually no impact on the environment. Try it for yourself - I'm sure you'll be hooked too.

Hi, I am an avid organic gardener and am known by my friends as the recycling queen. I live on a small country property in South Australia.
It is my mission to encourage as many people as possible to start organic gardening ( I know you'll become addicted). This will improve both our individual lives and the wellbeing of our personal and global environments.
Anyone can grow their own healthy food with Organic Gardening. Click here to get started now!
Happy Organic Gardening, Healthy Living...
Julie Williams
http://www.1stoporganicgardening.com

Setting Up Your First Fish Tank

I still remember every minute of the day I got my first fish tank. Of course, I said I wanted to start small, so I got my 10 gallon tank with 3 small Goldfish...six months later, I had a 75 gallon tank with 9 Goldfish. So, if you don't want to repeat the whole process very soon, I would recommend getting the largest tank that you can accommodate. It's actually easier to clean a bigger tank than a smaller one. Small tanks and bowls require a lot more maintenance, believe it or not. You can find more information about all that throughout the site. For now, let's hope that this guideline can help you set up your fish tank. Like I said, you can start with a 10, 20, 30 gallon tank or bigger, made of glass or acrylic. Glass is traditional, but the advantages of an acrylic tank are many. It's a lot lighter, seamless, and the clarity is unbeatable. Just remember to buy cleaning tools for acrylic and not glass.

Get an under gravel filter, UGF, a plastic cover with a fluorescent light, one pound-per-gallon of aquarium gravel or sand, an air pump and a heater. If you have some extra change, get a power head instead of an air pump and replace the hanging heater with a submergible model.

You can buy a complete setup without ornaments for a low price, and this is a great beginning. You also need a stand that can hold the tank. Remember it'll be very heavy once you add the water. Start out with plastic plants, and plastic or resin, maybe wood, stone or ceramic decorations. Be careful, not every rock or toy is good for your tank. Some have toxins that can kill your fish. Remember, a larger tank is easier to maintain than a small one and it can hold many more fish, which will lead to a more pleasant experience of fish keeping.

Once you have the equipment, the rest is easy. Choose a stable place to set the tank in your home.

Once it's filled you won't be able to move it without emptying it first and you don't want to do that, and try no to put it under the direct sunlight of a window or a very hot area, since heat makes algae grow faster, which means, cleaning will be harder.

There are more complicated and expensive ways to filter the gravel, but I recommend using under gravel filters (UGF). These sit on top of the glass in the bottom of the aquarium. Lift tubes are inserted into the risers at the rear of the filter, and then the under gravel filter is covered with gravel.

Rinse the gravel well and spread it so you get an even layer. You always have to rinse everything very well before putting it in the tank.

Now add the heater and the water pumps if necessary. If you have a hanging heater, hang it off the back, where you can still see it and tell if it's on. A submersible heater should go near the bottom of the tank because the heat rises. Find a location for your air pump and put your air line and air stones in. You will also need a gang valve for the air line, which will let you run two lift tubes off of a single outlet air pump. Run a piece of air line from the air pump to the gang valve. Run another air line from the gang valve to each of your lift tubes. Read the instructions for your filter to see exactly how to attach the air line to your particular air stones.

Power heads are great for aquariums. They draw water from under the UGF and pump it out of the power head, creating water movement as well as delivering oxygen to the fish and the beneficial bacteria that live in the gravel (substrate).

There are also mechanical filters on the market. I prefer the ones with a Bio Wheel. The Bio Wheel is a paper like cylinder that rotates as the water is returned to the tank. Beneficial bacteria live on the wheel and helps increase the biological cycle.

Now place your ornaments in the tank and see where you want them before you get your hands wet. Expect some ceramic or plastic decorations to float or tip over as you put water in the tank.

Once your decorations are in place, you are ready to add water. You can just pour tap water into the tank and since you have no fish, plants, or a biological filter to worry about, add the treatment after the tank is full. Be careful that the water doesn't dig a hole in the gravel as you pour it in.

It's good to wait a couple of days before adding fish. Remember that patience is important to have long living, happy fish.

Then you'll be ready to start the biological cycling process.

If you want more information about setting up or maintaining a fish tank, visit me at: http://www.thefishtankplace.com.

What is a Duvet Comforter Cover?

A Duvet cover is another name for a Comforter cover. It's like a large pillow case and is used to cover a comforter, but has button, zipper or tie closures to stay on. Using a duvet cover makes changing your bedroom decor easy and quick.

Duvet covers come in all sizes. It is, however, important to consider the size of your comforter prior to making a purchase. For a good fit they should be no more than 2 inches more or less in either dimension than the size of the comforter.

A new duvet cover is a quick and easy way to change the look of your bed. There is a wide selection of fabrics available giving you the immediate ability to change the look of your bedroom.

Duvet Comforter Covers make decorating your home easier as they come in countless colors and styles including: French Country Style, Hotel Style, Contemporary Style, Cottage Style, and Romantic Chic n Shabby Style.

Looks range from Clean and Sophisticated to Casual and Comfortable. They can be used during the warmer seasons with little or no comforter inside and in the colder season with a warmer, heavier insulated comforter inside.

Cleaning your duvet cover is usually as simple as washing your sheets. Simply tossing them in your washer and dryer is commonly all it takes. Be sure to check your duvet covers cleaning instructions for proper care. Duvet covers typically needs to be washed only with the changing seasons.

Thank you,
Bella Home Fashions Discount Bedding

Bella Home Fashions | Discount Bedding

Traditional Food of Honduras

It is amazing that this great country of Honduras which is very poor can still produce some of the greatest tasting recipes. Some of the more traditional food of Honduras includes tortillas, fried beans, bananas or papayas, eggs and usually some type of veggie. It is known that in this country most of the traditional food of Honduras is grown right there so they do not have to import a lot of foods. Fruits, vegetables and meat are usually all butchered and homegrown for each family.

This country tends to take some of the recipes from Mexico and put their own Honduras twist on it, so if you like Mexican food and you are looking for something newer and healthier, then you may want to give some traditional food of Honduras a try. Because most of the food of this country is homegrown and not imported, using the freshest possible vegetables, fruits and other ingredients is very important and will make all the difference in taste. Organic is the way to go when it comes to preparing this type of authentic food.

The baleada is another traditional food of Honduras and is a staple in the country. Basically, a baleada is a flour tortilla which is folded in half and filled with refried beans and cheese and then topped with sour cream. In essence, this dish is what Americans call a quesadilla. A baleada is a great dish for breakfast, lunch or dinner it is all on how you prepare it. Many people will add roast meat (chicken or pork, red meat is not allowed in a lot of Honduran dishes) for dinner and scramble up some eggs to have in it for breakfast.

Naturally, these are not the only traditional food of Honduras, there are many soups that have made an appearance in this country and are a great way to start or end a meal. For instance, a great bean soup can compliment a dinner of tacos amazingly well, or if you are a person who enjoys seafood, the Honduran's have come up with a fantastic seafood soup that is a little bit spicy and sweet. Most of the soups, as a known fact are complimented by corn tortillas which you can dip into the soup.

So as you can see, some of the most traditional food of Honduras is fantastic, tastes great and is very healthy for you! Whether you are making this meal specifically for you or you are cooking for a big family, you will have a great time not only preparing this meal but also eating it! Just be sure that you have some water around, for a lot of the traditional food of Honduras is spicy!

To try out some traditional food of Honduras such as quesadillas, fried plantain, salsas, chismol, bronzed tilapia, conch soup, coconut bread and many, many more, check out these Honduran recipes.

Margaret Assor is an enthusiast of ethnic cookery and an advocate of boredom free kitchens. If you want to try out some of the exotic Honduran recipes, visit her website at http://www.RecipesForHonduranFoodsInEnglish.com

The Religion of Love - The Solution For Man's Suffering

Question:
"What is the solution for the suffering of man?"

Answer:

"The suffering of man will only be solved by a spiritual revolution, for nothing will change until the heart of man is changed."

In high school, I started to see more and more the suffering of this world. It's corruption, it's wars, it's poverty, it's injustice... and great was my suffering in seeing all this that I grew the strong desire to help the world; to do whatever I could on my part to make this world a better place. I volunteered here and there, helping the poor, helping the environment... but it just never seemed like I was doing enough good. Later I even became a political activist, thinking if I could change things at the top of society, in government, then good changes would trickle down to all spheres; that there would be no wars, no hunger, no mass pollution... but still I was frustrated in my desires to do good, for without a good guide I did not know the real root of the suffering and evil in the world, nor the tools to combat it. I thought my enemies were poverty, corrupt politicians, war mongers and industrial oligarchies... But I learned, from Mother Rytasha, that ignorance is the enemy I sought.

We are eternal spirit souls, beloved Lovers- Servants of God. But now, in illusion, we are as the sun when covered by cloud, and so do not experience our true state of perfection. By ignorance (forgetfulness) of who we truly are, and by thus thinking we are these bodies, we've been relating everything and everyone to these bodies, and have been seeking happiness by trying to satisfy the senses of the body. And so forgetting that we are spirit souls, all brothers and sisters, servants of the one God, we are committing so much atrocities to one another, in vain trying to quench our insatiable material senses by acquiring some limited, and temporary material gain (and most often at the expense and suffering of ourselves and others). So the root cause of all the evil in the world, the reason people act causing unnecessary suffering, is because of the ignorance that blinds us to our true, spiritual reality.

A Spiritual Revolution is the only solution to the suffering of man. The meaning of the word revolution, is to: re-volve. So in the past I thought we needed something new, some new government, or new system... but rather what is truly needed is for us to revolve, to return to our natural, spiritual consciousness, by the cleansing practices of religion (re-ligio: to re-link to God).

Having learned then, the real problem of the world, and now having the tools to uproot it, I then became overwhelmed, thinking, "how can I change everybody to live a spiritual life?" Mother Rytasha taught me that we cannot control or change anyone, only ourselves. But by the grace of Mother Rytasha I learnt that If I just bring myself again to Love, to work on myself, to live in the present and return to my natural state, then that is the greatest help I can do for myself, and for everyone. For in Loving God, you are as the lamp lit. "The light is not meant only to illuminate the lamp, but all that surrounds it."- Mother Rytasha. Through becoming again the devotee of God, by igniting A Spiritual Revolution in the heart and taking to The Path Made Straight, the path by which one may come again to God, we may become the pale moon to God's great sun, and reflect His Love in the world. By cleansing ourselves of all ignorance, and surrendering ourselves to God, we may become as clear vessels for God's Mercy to flow through and so inspire those living in this world to begin A Spiritual Revolution in their own hearts. And so I've learned, that I cannot change the world to Love and peace, but I can change my world to Love and peace... and that is what will cause the greatest good in the world.

http://www.thereligionoflove.net